East Vs. West

On Friday evening I went out with a group of other grad students for a drink of two. I haven't been particularly social, but I managed to build up enough energy and momentum to get out there. I think it'll be more likely for me to go out when it warms up a little and I can more comfortably ride into downtown; as it is right now, once it hits nine I'm starting the slow roll towards bed and enhanced coziness. Cause I'm old.

Anyways, it was a pretty enjoyable evening. The happy hour prices on beer are outstanding (for the area) even if you don't get all that much volume (14 oz, what is that). By about 11 I was ready to roll on out of there. At about this time, the conversation swung over towards the differences between the east and the west coasts. Now, I'm not 100% on why we ended up talking about this, I was starting to drift, but my stance it pretty solid: People are people. While there may be superficial differences in lifestyle (like cuisine or hobbies or interests in sports or whatever!) people have the same basic motivations and you find the same kinds of people where ever you go - outdoor tech heads, hipsters, girls who use spray on tan and dye their hair blond, whatever the niche I can guarantee you're going to find them in Miami and Seattle and whatever other city you want to pick. While different subcultures might flourish or languish, people will fit in just about anywhere.

There are some people who don't buy this, and it confuses me a little bit. I had my reservations when I moved east for sure, but what I found in Pennsylvania was what I found in Washington - people motivated to live the best lives they can. Like I mentioned, what the life resembles may change superficially in different parts of the country (the midwest has their casseroles, the west coast their sushi, you get the point) but the core is still the same: Security, community, happiness, accomplishment.

While I do want to move back west when I'm done with my degree, it's not because of the people on the east coast; It's the people on the west coast! My friends and family are there. I miss the landscapes and the weather. I miss the water and the liberal politics. I miss fresh salmon and cheap avocados. I miss the mountains and the fir trees. The Northwest is my homeland. Does that diminish the East for me? No. While in Washington I had more close friends who were similar to me in interests and appearance, it doesn't mean that those people aren't here in the east, I just haven't found them yet.

I don't know, its interesting. We're all trying to find our place in the world, and for a lot of people geography is a big part of that. It certainly is for me, but at the same time I think with determination and willingness most people can be happy most places, given that the other aspects of your life are running smoothly (work, community, health, family, the usual suspects).